Malina with Ojai Botanika has always been creative. She loves everything from baking to essential oil blending. At just 15, she tried soapmaking for the first time and quickly got hooked. She now sells beautiful bars made with natural colorants and essential oils.Learn more about how Malina got started, what inspires her, and her soapmaking tips.

How long have you been making soap and how did you get started?I’m 21 now, but I started soapmaking almost six years ago, when I was only 15 years old! Actually, years before that, I was already studying herbalism and was interested in natural health and beauty. I was homeschooled for most of my childhood, so I was able to explore my interests and learn unique things at a very young age. I remember my mom was really into essential oils. We would have fun blending them and I loved the way they smelled and how I felt when using them. One thing led to another and I started learning how to make herbal balms, lotions and stuff. I remember staying up one night ’til midnight in the kitchen, creating a new body butter recipe. Everyone else was asleep, but there I was with an electric mixer, whipping up copious amounts of shea butter and coconut oil. I’m so blessed that my family was so supportive of my creative endeavors!

Years later, when I was 15, a friend told me that I’d probably enjoy making soap. She invited me to her studio and gave me my first lesson in soapmaking. I was so fascinated! We did a few more soapmaking lessons and she guided me toward some online resources. I remember spending every free minute reading the Soap Queen blog and watching Soap Queen TV!

I made my first solo batch of soap using a Bramble Berry Beginner’s Soapmaking Kit. From then on, I was pretty much hooked! I spent a lot of time testing out recipes and then worked on creating my own unique formulations and designs. At first, I made soaps just for fun, for friends and family. Everyone kept telling me how much they loved my soaps and how they thought I should start selling them. I started out very small, selling locally via word of mouth. It felt so wonderful to be able to share my creations and bring happiness to others through my soaps. I’m still a very small business, trying to keep up with growing demand. It gets really busy sometimes, but it’s so worth it to be able to pursue my dreams!

What advice would you give to makers just starting their businesses?Follow your passion and trust your intuition! For me, this has been the most important thing to remember all these years. It can be discouraging sometimes when you’re just starting, but always remember what drove you to begin your journey. When you maintain that sense of passion and integrity and stay true to yourself, people will be drawn to you and your products. Surround yourself with supportive people! I’ve had such incredible support from friends and family. Take time to create recipes that are uniquely yours, and be sure to test them thoroughly. Once you have a product that you’ve tested and are confident in selling, take the necessary steps to become a real business. It may not be the most fun, but taking care of business matters like insurance, business license, etc., ahead of time will give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on what you’re really passionate about!

What is your favorite type of product to make?Definitely cold process soap! There’s something about the magical process of oils and lye mixing together that really appeals to the alchemist in me. I also love the freedom to create beautiful designs and scents. I especially enjoy swirling soap; no two bars have the same design!

What inspires you to create?I’m the type of person who is constantly in creative mode, so I find inspiration in everything. I’m especially inspired by nature! I’ve created lots of soaps with locally-grown ingredients and designs inspired by our local mountains, trails, meadows, flowers, night skies, herbs, and trees.

How did you come up with the name for your business?Ojai (pronounced like “Oh, hi!”) is the name of the little town where I was born and raised. It’s tucked away in a valley, not too far from Los Angeles, CA. It’s such a special place; the energy here is so beautiful and unique. It’s known for being a very artsy town and is home to lots of super-talented people. Since Ojai has been such a big part of my life and inspiration for my brand, I wanted to honor it in my business name. Ojai is also the local Chumash Indian word for moon! I’m really drawn to the moon, so it seemed like the perfect fit. The name “Ojai Botanika” pays homage to my beautiful home and the natural botanicals that I use in my creations.

What is your favorite Bramble Berry product and why?I have been using Bramble Berry products since my friend first taught me about soapmaking! I remember when she gave me a Bramble Berry gift card for my birthday; I was so excited! I got to try all kinds of wonderful new ingredients. Some of my favorite products are the natural clays. They add a lovely slip and beautiful colors to my natural soaps. Rose clay is my absolute favorite! I use it in one of my most popular soaps, “Ojai Rose,” to create the beautiful pink swirls. I’m also a huge fan of the indigo powder. It gives such a lovely, natural denim-blue tone in soap.

Tell us something unusual or unique about yourself!I’m actually a very introverted person. I was hesitant when I first started my business because I thought I would have to be “on” all the time. But, being able to share my passion with such a supportive community really helped me to break out of my shell and become more comfortable and confident.

What are some of your other hobbies and interests?Reading is one of my absolute favorite things to do. I would happily read for the rest of my life. I also love listening to music! I always have music playing while I work in my soap studio! It really helps keep me upbeat and productive. I’m also an avid baker! I love making super-yummy, healthy baked goods. One of my biggest passions, besides soapmaking, is makeup. When I was little, I would love sitting next to my grandma, watching her apply her makeup. It was so fascinating to me! Once I started, I never got tired of the process of applying makeup, and I love wearing it. It feels like art to me. Fun fact: before I fell in love with soapmaking, I was seriously considering becoming a professional makeup artist. I guess it makes sense that I would end up creating products in the beauty industry!

What is your number one soapmaking tip?Soaping at room temperature! Ever since I learned about that, it has really changed my soaping game. I used to have such a hard time with my soaps getting too hot and accelerating, since I’m not the most patient person. Now, I just prep my oils and lye one day and the next day I’m able to make loads of soap pretty easily.

If you were to give one of your products to a stranger, what would you choose and why?I would probably choose a bar of my crescent moon soap! I feel like that’s my signature design and I love seeing the looks of awe and joy when people see that soap for the first time. Being able to brighten someone’s day is a such a wonderful feeling!

Have you ever experienced a soapy fail? How did you work through it, and what did you learn?Yes… Speaking of patience, I recently had a batch of soap accelerate really badly on me. I was in a hurry, making a new scent and design, and I ended up soaping at too high temps. When I went to pour the swirl, the batter thickened up so fast, I nearly had soap on a stick! But, I kept calm and did a very fast design change. I was able to pour the soap into two layers with a clay line in between them. That night, I kept worrying that the soap would be a failure and I wouldn’t be able to use it. The next day, when I went to cut it, I was pleasantly surprised and ended up loving the new design. It turned out to be a happy accident! In fact, that soap ended up being the first one to sell out at a recent event! I learned my lesson (again) about patience, but also learned not to give up and to be open to new ideas and designs.

What do you love most about creating bath and body products?I love the entire process of making soap, but I especially love that soapmaking allows self-expression. It’s a wonderful art form to me, like painting, sculpting, or glass art. I love creating beautiful, natural products full of quality, organic, and natural ingredients to help people live healthier and happier lives. Most of all, I love being able to communicate with people all over the world and share my passion with them. My heart feels so full when I hear from people who have enjoyed using my soaps or who have been inspired by them. To me, that is the most fulfilling part of what I do!

In 2015, Julie with Soaperie + Co. left her job in finance to spend more time with her kids. She started exploring creative outlets and discovered a love for soapmaking. Now she makes and sells beautiful cold process soap, lotion bars, candles, and more. Learn more about how Julie got started, what inspires her, and her soapmaking tips.

How long have you been making soap and how did you get started?I’ve been making soap for almost two years and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it! The very first soap I made was the Relaxing Lavender soap from Bramble Berry’s Natural Soap Kit for Beginners. It was such a great way to start creating handmade soap because the kit comes with everything you need. I remember checking in on the soap as it cured and after a couple of hours, I noticed a crack on the top of the soap. In hindsight, I realized that I was just too impatient and I didn’t let my lye water cool enough before I mixed it with the oils, so the soap got way too hot. I’ve learned a lot since then, but I think that soapmaking experience is still one of the most exciting!

Soaperie + Co. really got started as a second act in life after I’d spent more than 20 years in a more traditional career. In 2015, I left my job in finance to spend more time with my kids and to focus on enjoying a slower pace of life. That first year after I stopped working absolutely flew by because I was busy helping my older son apply for college. Eventually, he left home to start school and that’s when I knew I needed something to keep myself occupied. I’ve always loved fashion and interior design, so it wasn’t a surprise that I began to explore my creative side. To me, making artisan soap is the perfect blend of creative and analytical, just like me. I loved it instantly.

What inspires you to create?Fashion, interior design, cooking, and nature. Right now, I’m watching the latest season of the Great British Baking Show. I’m mesmerized by the unique ingredient combinations that go into the contestants’ truly amazing creations. Soapmaking has a lot of similarities to the cooking/baking world and you tend to see a lot of the same trends. I like to use what I’ve seen for inspiration.

What advice would you give to makers just starting their businesses?Be patient, take it slowly, and learn everything you possibly can from more experienced soapmakers. I’m not a patient person by nature and I really jumped into this business quickly. There have been times that I’ve definitely learned “on the job” and that kind of learning can be difficult. I wish I knew early on what I know now. I think if I’d been a little more patient, there would have been fewer growing pains.

One of the biggest mistakes I made was being afraid to say no. Whether it’s a wholesale order that just wasn’t profitable or a time-consuming project for a friend, it’s easy to feel obligated to do something that really isn’t a good use of your time. When you have the courage to say no, it’s a really powerful thing. It opens you up to have the time to pursue the things that you really want to do.

What is your favorite type of product to make?Cold process soap. There’s something so beautiful about the perceived simplicity, yet it really can keep you on your toes. It’s different every time you make it, even when you’re remaking something you’ve made before. The air humidity, the temperature of the ingredients, and the type of fragrance oil – it makes it impossible to control the outcome with exact precision. Learning to deal with unexpected problems is just part of the process!

How did you come up with the name for your business?Naming your business is so incredibly personal. At the end of the day, I wanted a name that would convey my sense of style…simple, sophisticated, feminine, and professional. I also wanted to make sure it reflected that it’s a soap business. Instead of just using the word soapery, I tweaked it a little and made it “Soaperie” to add some flair.

There’s a funny story about the name Soaperie + Co. Recently, it dawned on me that people may read it as “Soap Erie,” as in soap made in Erie, PA. Someone commented on an Instagram post that they would love to have a bar of my soap because they’re from Erie and they’re feeling homesick since they moved away. I didn’t have the heart to tell them that sadly, there is no connection to Erie. I still love the name of my business, but this was a good reminder about how important it is to really think through your business name before committing.

What is your favorite Bramble Berry product and why?It’s impossible to choose just one. The Copper Sparkle Mica and Gold Sparkle Mica are both so incredibly beautiful, so much fun to use, and really give your soap a glamorous feel. I love to use them as mica lines in between soap layers or mix them with sweet almond oil and create a sparkly design on the top of the finished soap.

Tell us something unusual or unique about yourself!I’m originally from California and I graduated from UCLA with a BS in Mathematics. I’m also a CPA. It’s probably not the typical resume of a soapmaker, but I have found that analytical and problem-solving skills can be very helpful in this business. No matter what your background is, I think you bring your own unique perspective to soapmaking. One of my favorite things to see on Instagram is a photo of a soap that’s different than anything I’ve seen before.

What are some of your other hobbies and interests?Right now, I’m trying to learn everything I can about photography. When I first started posting photos of my soap on social media, it was a disaster. I even had a professional photographer leave a comment on one of my Instagram posts suggesting I contact her for help. I still have a long way to go, but thankfully my photos have improved since then. Someday, I would love to graduate from my iPhone to a good digital camera.

I also love spending time with my family, playing fantasy football, watching good movies, watching bad reality television, reading, enjoying great food, baking, and traveling.

Have you ever experienced a soapy fail? How did you work through it, and what did you learn?Of course, there are so many fails that it’s difficult to choose just one. Once, I dropped my soap batter on the floor. I accidentally left my immersion blender sitting in the soap batter. I was using a plastic bucket for the first time (I had been using a glass container) and the blender was just too heavy for the container to support. When I let go, the entire bucket of soap spilled down the front of my cabinets and all over the floor! Luckily, I got it cleaned up quickly and no one was hurt.

If I learned anything from this fail, it’s just another reminder that soapmaking can be dangerous and it’s so important to be careful. Each time I introduce something new into the process, now I try to think ahead and assess the impact before a mistake happens.

If you were to give one of your products to a stranger, what would you choose and why?Right now, since it’s getting cooler and we all start struggling with dry skin, I would give them a Beeswax + Honey lotion bar. It’s made with beeswax, shea butter, and olive oil and it’s so incredibly moisturizing (and it smells great, too). They come in a small recyclable container that’s easy to throw in your purse and take with you on the go. One of my favorite stories about our lotion bars is from a customer who sells handmade knitted items. She likes to use our lotion bars on her hands before she starts knitting a project and says it makes the yarn smell so good. She’s even received feedback about the wonderful fragrance from her customers!

What is your number one soapmaking tip?Try soaping at room temperature. For the longest time, I wouldn’t even consider trying it and I would spend countless hours trying to get my oils and lye water to within 10 degrees of each other. At higher temperatures, this can be time consuming. Soaping at room temperature has worked out well for me because Austin is a pretty hot and humid part of the country, so most of the time all my oils are already liquid at room temperature. In the winter I do have to heat up some of the harder oils. For me, it really simplified my life and I don’t spend so much time worrying about timing everything so carefully!

What do you love most about creating bath and body products?Honestly, I love being a part of the soapmaking community and interacting with amazing customers. I’ve been so impressed by the incredible amount of support, guidance, and encouragement that I’ve experienced over the last few years. Artisan soap is a very saturated market, so I’m always pleasantly surprised by how many soapmakers are willing to share their techniques and help one another. I always encourage everyone to buy handmade items. You really help support a community of truly wonderful makers.

When you’ve built your business from the ground up, the thought of hiring someone can be overwhelming. This post can help. It includes tips on searching for employees, interviewing them, and what tasks to assign once they’re hired. That way you can focus on the exciting part – growing your business.

First steps
Small business owners are used to doing everything from formulating recipes to shipping orders. However, if day-to-day tasks are taking up most of your time and you can’t focus on big-picture items, it may be time to expand.

Jessica with Normal Soap Company had that realization while spending hours labeling and delivering products. She’s a 4th-generation soapmaker who started selling products about 6 years ago. She first hired part-time seasonal help, then year-round employees.

“There are times where I need to focus on production and building the business,” she said. “I can teach someone to label and make deliveries.”

Lela with Lucky Break Consulting said expanding will likely happen earlier than you want it to. The hiring process can be long and complicated, so you don’t want to start when you’re backed up against a wall. If you’re thinking about it, start looking into your finances to see if it’s something you can afford. Lela recommends deciding if you need a contractor for certain tasks or a long-term employee. Your state’s employment and labor laws will have more information on both options, so make sure to research those online. Then you need to create a document with all of your current tasks, how to complete them, what you expect from employees, the training process, etc.

“All of us are wearing so many different hats, which means the business lives in our head,” Lela said. “Get those systems and standards on paper.”

Next you can start looking for candidates. Lela recommends avoiding newspaper ads because they can be expensive. Online platforms like craigslist are free, but you will have to sift through a lot of spam. You can put the job posting in your blog or newsletter so people already familiar with your company apply.

“If you’re a brick-and-mortar business, put a sign in the window,” Lela said. “Don’t underestimate the power of that.”

Jessica said her best resource is other entrepreneurs in the area. She let market managers know she was hiring and also posted in a Facebook group for local businesses. Normal Soap Company’s products are sold in a few stores, so Jessica told the owners to send qualified applicants her way. That gave her plenty of resumes to choose from.

The interview process
Once you’ve narrowed the search, you can start interviewing applicants. Lela likes to start with a one-on-one meeting. It only lasts about 20 minutes and she asks a few simple questions. If she likes the candidate, she brings them back in for a second interview with more in-depth questions. It’s good to have someone else there for a second opinion. That can be an assistant, business partner, or even a trusted friend. Lela then takes the candidate on a tour of the facility and watches how they interact with other staff members.

Bramble Berry CEO and Founder Anne-Marie recommends covering experience and relevant skills, but also asking questions to see if the applicant is a good fit for the company culture.

“I like to ask about the last book they read, or the last movie they watched, how they practice stress release, if they consider themselves an introvert or an extrovert and an example of that personality behavior,” she said.

When you find someone you like, make sure to check both personal and professional references. If you’re having trouble choosing between 2 applicants, trust your intuition.

“I’ve done a lot wrong over the years and 2 things spring to mind – not listening to my gut (that’s how we hired a bank robber, literally!), and hiring the world’s coolest people ‘just because’ but then not having a real role for them at the company,” Anne-Marie said.

What tasks to delegate
Start by making a list of all the tasks you’re currently doing.

“It’s a humbling experience seeing all the things you’re trying to master at once,” Lela said.

Rate the tasks on how comfortable you feel doing them and how much you enjoy them. Then, go through and see which ones you can start delegating. Good options are day-to-day tasks like answering social media comments and cleaning dishes. That way you can work on high-level tasks like product development and human resources.

Jessica first has employees help with preparing orders, labeling, and making deliveries. Then she trains them on how to make products like lip balm and bath bombs. They also go to markets to sell products. Jessica continues to make soap and lotion, as they require more experience and knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices. She does show her employees how to make it though.

“We try to balance necessary tasks like labeling with fun stuff like making soap,” she said.

After the hire
Hiring and training people is just the beginning. Lela recommends bringing people in for a 60-day trial. Once a week, meet with them for 5-10 minutes to see how everything is going. They can ask questions and you can see how they’re progressing.

“Keep an eye on them until they build confidence and spread their wings,” she said.

After that, she recommends yearly reviews. Find out what they love and what’s dragging them down. Create benchmarks and goals for them to meet by the next review. This is helpful for both employees and owners. Lela said a common mistake for owners is coming across too friendly because they’re not used to hiring and delegating tasks. Having systems and standards in place can help you be more professional and your employees know what to expect.

The more you work with someone, the more you’ll learn. In the beginning, Jessica relied on help from friends and family. They helped her business grow and it was the right decision at the time. But since she hired help, she hasn’t looked back.

Growing up, Jayme of Salt & Shea wasn’t able to use store-bought soap. Because of her allergies, it would irritate her skin. That experience helps Jayme craft handmade products for those with sensitive skin. She uses natural ingredients and avoids harsh chemicals, which means she gets to enjoy her creations as well. Learn more about how Jayme got started, what inspires her, and her soapmaking tips.

How long have you been making soap and how did you get started?
I made my first batch of soap a little over four years ago. At the time, the idea to make soap was completely random and stemmed from one of those lounging on the couch with your mom, drinking wine, scrolling Pinterest, contemplating life moments. At the time I was 27 and unfulfilled with my current line of work. I was looking for a change and had no clue what I wanted to do other than “make stuff.” I possessed a love for baking and a passion for natural skincare and then… light bulb I had an idea…. “Mom, I am going to become an esthetician, help people with their skin, and make soap!” “Soap? Why soap? You don’t even use bar soap. You are allergic,” my mom responded. But the idea was planted and I was going for it. I spent the following few days obsessed with the idea. I googled everything soap and skincare related and stumbled upon Anne-Marie’s Soap Queen blog. I watched every video possible, read how-to blogs, and ordered a few soapmaking books from Amazon!

A few weeks later for my birthday, my mom gifted me a cold process soapmaking kit from Bramble Berry. I was so excited! I opened the box, started to work through the recipe, and made my first batch of soap. I was instantly hooked! The rest is history….

What advice would you give makers just starting their businesses? Start small but plan big! Know your numbers and account for your time! Soapmaking as a hobby is completely different than running a sustainable business. Before you embark on selling soap or think about creating a handcrafted business, you need to have a solid plan and understanding of things like the real cost of goods (including your labor and overhead), production procedures and timelines, inventory control, waste management, branding and marketing, customer service, and the laws and regulations that pertain to you depending on where you live and conduct business. I recognize as makers we get excited, create, and want to share it with the world. However, taking the time to have a plan in place and a good understanding of the business side will help you stay on track, focused, and eventually profitable.

What is your favorite type of product to make?
S.O.A.P! I enjoy pouring balms, soy wax candles, and packaging gift boxes, but cold process soap is my favorite product to create. Each batch is unique and one of a kind. You can fully customize your recipe and do away with the use of toxic chemicals, parabens, fillers, and commercial skin-stripping additives. The best part is that you can tailor ingredients to satisfy the needs of different skin types, allergies, or client concerns.

What is your number one soapmaking tip?
Take the time to educate yourself about the soapmaking process! Do research, watch videos, and become a student of the craft. Understand the importance of lye safety, SAP values, and how to troubleshoot if and when your soapy creation doesn’t go as planned.

How did you come up with the name of your business?
Deciding on a business name is exciting, however, it can be a little daunting – especially in a saturated market. I exhausted multiple names, email domains, and label templates, but I was never fully satisfied with the business name I chose. A few months after I had a deadline to finalize a website purchase and branding collateral, but I couldn’t pull the trigger. I knew that my current business name was not in alignment with what I wanted to create. I wanted something fun and cheeky, eco-friendly, yet natural and feminine.

After a long day of esthetic class, I stopped by Michaels Craft Store looking for inspiration. Cruising down the middle aisles I stumbled upon alphabet letters. I pulled out tons of letters and started piecing words together in the middle of the store. I was currently soaping with a lot of shea butter and seeing the letters sparked an idea. After a few times of ring-around-the-letters and a lot of word play, Salt & Shea was born. I knew I had to create it!

What inspires you to create?
I find inspiration everywhere. My mind operates on a burning desire to make something. Most of the time I have moved onto a new idea before fully processing the last. My friends, family, and current clients always fuel my creative spark and really keep me going. I guess it comes back to the joy of creating something that someone else will find happiness in.

What is your favorite Bramble Berry product and why?
I enjoy almost everything Bramble Berry! My favorite products they offer are their natural colorants. They provide a large selection of plant-based powders, clays, and exfoliating additives. My favorite is the purple Brazilian clay. I have found it to be hard to source, so I love that I can get it from Bramble Berry when I place my normal orders. It provides a natural vibrant color and adds mild exfoliating properties to the soap. I love using it in our Lavender Lemongrass bar. It’s one of our top sellers.

What is something unusual or unique about you?
I’m allergic to everything! I have Celiac disease and have suffered from extremely sensitive skin due to allergies and environmental elements my whole life. Growing up I was allergic to commercial bar soaps, body wash, bubble bath, and pretty much anything that smelled good. I never had the “ luxury” of taking a bath or trying that new lotion or body butter without sending my skin into a complete freak out. I believe my personal experience of navigating life in an “allergic” state puts me in a unique position to understand and show compassion for other people’s sensitivities.

What are some of your other interests and hobbies?
When I’m not creating for Salt & Shea, chances are I am fussing with another DIY “crafty” project. Most of the time you can find me in our garage working with wood, staining crates, and sanding old furniture. My love for wood has definitely influenced my brand and packaging, and it’s something I am really proud of. I also love walking my two dogs, Tyson and Dallas, baking gluten-free treats, and spending quality time with my boyfriend hiking outdoors.

If you could give one product to a stranger, what would you choose and why?
That’s simple! It would definitely be our Zebra Balm (hydrating balm for dry skin). This hydrating balm is skin happiness in a tin! It’s a proven and true favorite among our clients, and it’s my personal favorite product. It’s carefully crafted with organic beeswax that we source locally and skin-loving oils to help hydrate and protect dry, dehydrated skin. I enjoy creating and gifting this balm so much because anyone can use it and everyone loves it! Not only does it smell divine, it leaves you feeling happy, healthy, and hydrated!

Have you ever experienced a soapy fail? What did you learn from it?My biggest soapy fail involves 20 pounds of soap, a 5-gallon bucket, a stick blender that didn’t get to the bottom, and a huge mess. I normally soap 15 pounds at a time, so I figured 5 more wouldn’t hurt. I made my lye, portioned my oils, and added them to a 5-gallon bucket. I should’ve known I was in trouble before I started when the bucket on top of my workspace was almost my height. Ignoring the obvious, I grabbed a step stool, poured my lye, and went to town. Keeping with the theme of ignoring the obvious, I didn’t account for my stick blender being too short or producing enough powder to reach the bottom to fully emulsify and trace. In the time it took to grab a few buckets to portion out some of my batter, my essential oil blend started seizing. I quickly tried to whisk the batter enough to save and pour. The whole batch was literally a nightmare!

If I learned anything from this soapy fail, it would be to know the limitations of your current situation. I planned for a bigger bucket, but forgot about the rest of my equipment.

What do you love most about creating bath and body products?
As a maker, I have a deep love and respect for the handcrafted process as a whole. I appreciate the opportunity to create and I am proud of what I make. What I love the most is the joy that fills my heart when my clients and new customers come back and tell me how much they loved Salt & Shea, the difference they see and feel on their skin, or how they felt when they gifted one of our boxes. To me, it’s so much more than making soap or creating body care, it’s about making someone feel good! It’s my favorite part of the whole process!

Ruth with PotterMade Soap started making cold process only 2 years ago. Since then, she’s mastered multiple techniques including layers and swirls. Customers and fellow makers love her intricate designs and beautiful photos. Learn more about how Ruth got started, what inspires her, and her soapmaking tips.

How long have you been making soap and how did you get started?I have been soaping for just over two years. My mom, who is a china painter and quilter, turned her talents to making cold process soap. As she became more experienced, she not only offered to teach me, but also lent me the needed supplies. After my first solo batch, I was completely hooked! You know how they say that when you find your passion in life, the work is actually fun – that’s how soaping is for me! I quickly delved into learning the art by studying every tutorial on Soap Queen. Afterwards, I wanted to explore more about the design aspect of soaping so I purchased Anne-Marie’s soaping books and experimented with new, elaborate creations. I was delighted with the way my soaps turned out! The Soap Queen video tutorials, informative articles, and blog could not have been more helpful in satisfying my desire to learn more and helping me gain the necessary skills.

What advice would you give to those soapermakers just starting their businesses?Give yourself time to explore the technique and science of soaping. It is so important to get some good experience under your belt. Soaping as a hobby and soaping as a business are two very different things. Educate yourself on the business aspect by understanding the laws and regulations in your area before diving in. Give yourself time to perfect your recipes. When you are ready, go for it and surround yourself with positive people who lift and encourage you!

What is your favorite type of product to make?Cold process soap, hands down! I love how cold process soap is 100% customizable from the choice of oils and butters used, to the color, design, and fragrances. I love the artistry of soaping. I truly believe soap is a consumable art form. Making soap is magical to me and truly my happy place. My family can walk in the door and tell I’ve made soap just by the smile on my face and, of course, how wonderful the house smells.

What inspires you to create?My family and friends inspire me to create. I love creating a visual representation of a fragrance. It is very rewarding to create soap that becomes a simple pleasure and an added luxury in someone’s life. Soap makes such beautiful gifts. Everyone needs and uses soap!

How did you come up with the name for your business?Choosing a name was really difficult! It felt like such a commitment! My last name is Potter, so I thought PotterMade, like homemade, would describe my products beautifully.

Tell us something unusual or unique about yourself.I just completed my first half marathon! I had never run more than a few miles at a time and that was way back in high school. My husband inspired me to try after he trained and completed his first marathon a year ago. It was amazing to set a goal to do something I had never dreamt of attempting. I was filled with a huge sense of accomplishment and gratitude when I crossed that finish line. I can’t wait to see what comes next!

What are some of your other hobbies and interests?My husband and children are my whole heart! I have been married for 18 years and I have four children ages 15 to 6. I love being a wife and mother and I love every minute I can spend with my family. I also love to bake, read, run, and nap. 🙂

What is your favorite Bramble Berry product and why?Oh I have so many that I love! I love using Bramble Berry’s micas to create a range of vibrant colors in my soaps. Also, Bramble Berry’s activated charcoal is my favorite of any charcoal I have purchased. It creates a beautifully smooth charcoal bar of soap.

Have you ever experienced a soapy fail? How did you work through it, and what did you learn?Oh yes indeed! Last Christmas I was making soap to give as Christmas gifts to my friends and neighbors. I was attempting my biggest batch to date – 12 lbs. in one container. I didn’t realize that my stick blender could not reach to the bottom of the container. I poured these beautiful bars with intricate green swirls, with a gold-dusted textured top, that smelled of fresh Christmas trees. The tops were stunning and I couldn’t wait to cut it to see the swirls inside! I noticed the top had a wetness to it I was not used to, but hoped everything would fully soak in and saponify overnight.

The next evening, with my first cut, I noticed tiny lye pockets oozing from the bars. I was devastated! The bars looked beautiful, but the only way to save them was to rebatch them. I may have stomped my foot and shed a little tear, but then I figuratively rolled up my sleeves, grated up each bar then and there, and rebatched them that night. My beautifully-swirled bars were now very rustic green soaps with a rough textured top that resembled tree bark. Thankfully the rustic nature of the bars coordinated with their beautiful pine tree scent. Many people commented how they loved that the bars looked like wood and I never told them it was all because of a careless mistake. I learned how important it is to be able to roll with unexpected results and that even our mistakes can create beautiful soaps that can be enjoyed.

If you were to give one of your products to a stranger, what would you choose and why?I would give them one of my Honey & Oats bars. It is a very gentle bar of soap with a cheerful sweet scent everyone loves. I stamp each bar with a dusted gold bee stamp and so many customers comment how much joy that little bee brings to them. I love creating products that not only benefit our skin, but also add a touch of happiness to everyday life.

What is your number one soapmaking tip?Respect the lye. Always wear protective gloves and eyewear. Oh – and clean up right after you finish making soap. I always breathe a sigh of contentment after washing that last bowl or spatula.

After making cheese, yogurt, and ice cream with the milk from her goats, Shayna with Bearfoot Gypsy Soap Co. decided it was time to try soap. She makes beautiful bars with natural ingredients like clays and essential oils. Learn more about how Shayna got started, what inspires her, and her soapmaking tips.

How long have you been making soap and how did you get started?I have a small herd of goats and soapmaking was always on my “to-do” list of uses for their milk. I originally bought goats because my youngest son was highly allergic to cow’s milk and I wanted to give him a good alternative. I made him yogurts, cheeses, and ice cream with the milk, and my family and I drink it as well. I made my first batch of soap in April 2017, so about a year and a few months ago. I remember because I wanted to make something special for my dad for Father’s Day. It was a batch of Sandalwood (goats milk) soap with an in-the-pot swirl made from cacao powder and walnut shell. I didn’t realize until much later that learning to make soap with milk instead of water was not the norm. Once I made my first batch of soap, I was hooked. I wanted to try every soaping technique. I was mesmerized by soaping tutorials from experienced soapers. I tried recipe after recipe until I felt confident in creating my own. I guess I just kept creating and never looked back.

What advice would you give to those soapmakers just starting their businesses?I have always found it hard to find a balance between the desire to create and good business planning. This is something I am still working on. But it is so important to set a clear plan for your business. While I feel that the most important part of being a handmade artisan is enjoying what you do; you need to set goals and have a written plan for your business to run smoothly. Sit down, pour a cup of coffee, and figure out your pricing, your product line, where you want to sell, etc. Once you figure out what you would like to achieve, go for it! We all do this because it is something we love! Let that show, pour your heart into your products, give it your all. Your customers will see the love and care you put in and they will appreciate your products even more because of it.

What is your favorite type of product to make?Cold process soap! While I enjoy making bath bombs, candles, and lotions, my love for soapmaking is what keeps me going. I am always dreaming up new patterns, color combinations, and scents. I love creating a usable piece of art that someone will enjoy. I’m still excited every time I get to cut into a loaf of soap.

What inspires you to create?I am inspired by so many things, it could be a memory, the colors in a garden, a pattern on a dress, a scent, or even a loved one. My mind is always buzzing with a million ideas. I think I have always been that way actually. But I get my best ideas when I am not even thinking about it. When I am relaxed and in a quiet area where my head can clear. Which, unfortunately, is usually while I’m trying to sleep. Most days I’m up at 2 a.m., writing down ideas and drawing sketches of soap. But, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love every part of the creative process.

How did you come up with the name for your business?The name of my business is actually based on my childhood. The first part, “Bear,” is based on Baby Bear. When I was about 4 years old, my favorite book was Goldilocks and the Three Bears. I made my dad read it to me every night (several times). He read it to me so much that he started calling me Baby Bear and to this day he still does. It was one of those nicknames that stuck, even my friends called me BB for short.

I was a very free-spirited wild child. I hated to brush my hair, and preferred running around in the nude; much to my parents’ dismay. I grew up on a farm and spent most of my days running barefoot through the woods, catching frogs and climbing trees. I wouldn’t come home until I could hear my mother calling me for dinner. Even now you can rarely catch me wearing shoes, unless of course I’m out in public. And, don’t worry – the nude thing was only a phase. I am fully clothed nowadays. So when it came time to pick a name for my business, I didn’t really have to think about it, it is just what best describes me. Barefoot, free spirited, and still a little wild.

What is your favorite Bramble Berry product and why?That would have to be the natural colorants. I have used clays available from other soapmaking suppliers but, Bramble Berry by far has the best quality. I especially love the Brazilian purple clay and the indigo powder. I love all of the plant-based colorants Bramble Berry offers. I just love the earthy natural colors they give. It’s hard to find such a nice variety and quality anywhere else.

What are some of your other hobbies and interests?When I’m not making soap I enjoy painting, redoing old furniture, and baking. I love working around my small farm and caring for my goats. I’ve just started growing a small orchard, I have a veggie garden and a small herb garden as well. I work from home and am a mom to two amazing little boys. Watching them learn and grow is by far my favorite thing to do.

Tell us something unusual or unique about yourself.I was homeschooled until high school and I just started homeschooling my kids this last year. We’ve only just started, next year my eldest will be in 1st grade. At times it’s hard to balance being a mom, being a teacher, and running a small business from home. But I feel so blessed to be able to stay home with them and watch their little minds grow. I have so many wonderful memories of learning from my mother. From poetry to science, from baking to math, she taught me so much and I hope that my children will one day look back and remember me the same way I do my mother.

What is your number one soapmaking tip?Patience, something that took me a while to learn. From planning out your soap, taking the time to make an intricate design, waiting to cut the soap, and then the curing time. It all takes a ton of patience! But, the more you learn to be patient, the better you will be as a soaper.

Have you ever experienced a soapy fail? How did you work through it, and what did you learn?Yes, plenty of times! Usually the culprit is a misbehaving essential oil or fragrance. More than a few times, all was going well with a batch of soap, I add the scent in and bam! Soap on a stick. The best way I’ve found to avoid this is soaping at a cooler temperature and whisking in your essential oil instead of stick blending. I also like to add a well-behaved essential oil in with one I know will move fast to give me some extra time to work. It can definitely be frustrating when a batch of soap doesn’t turn out the way you planned. But with every failure there is knowledge to be gained. Take some notes and try again.

If you were to give one of your products to a stranger, what would you choose and why?That’s a hard one but, it would have to be one of my Salt Bars. Most people I meet have never tried salt soap, which is a shame because it feels so amazing to use. The best way I can describe it is that it feels like a bubbly exfoliating stone. If I could pick one more, it would be the Bee Magic bar. It is so soothing, the shea butter and raw honey give it such a nice creamy lather. It is one of my top choices for anyone with sensitive or dry skin.

What do you love most about creating bath and body products?I love experimenting and trying new soaping techniques. When I first started making soap, with each batch I tried a new technique. I love to challenge myself and try new things.

Soapmaking has given me a wonderful creative outlet. There are so many possibilities, I don’t think I will ever get tired of it.

It’s no surprise that providing good customer service is an important part of running a small business. This post has tips about how to interact with customers so they’ll keep coming back.

Why it’s important
As a small business owner, you wear a lot of hats. The thought of making time to answer questions on social media can be daunting. Kellie with Old Field Farm definitely understands – on top of selling her soap, she also works full time. She said there are a lot of talented makers out there, so it’s important to stand out with fast and friendly customer service.

“I feel like the customer can go anywhere with access to the internet,” she said. “We really try to make our customers feel important. We like to respond quickly to let them know we hear them.”

Reputation is another aspect to consider. Many small business owners can’t afford advertising, so word of mouth is very important. Sarah with Spicy Pinecone said you need to be consistent, fair, and efficient with every customer.

“People talk and share their experiences – both good and bad. In the age of social media, your actions will be spoken about,” she said. “No matter what happens, you must always remain professional and never discourteous, give the customer your full attention, and always use your manners (even if your customer is a difficult one).”

There are a lot of things to remember when preparing for a farmers market. Even with the best planning, there are items you may not think to bring. We reached out to makers on Instagram to find out what they recommend. Find their tips below.

Liz, Soaps & Sunflowers
The biggest help when I’m getting ready for a market is using Microsoft Excel (so boring, I know). I make numerous spreadsheets that organize the hundreds of thoughts swarming around in my head. It’s easier to plan for and then execute your ordering, production, setup, etc. when all of the details are visually laid out in front of you. The biggest thing to tackle (in my opinion) when getting ready for a market is the product quantity. You need to figure out how many products you’re going to bring, what materials you need for each product, and then how much of each material you’ll need to make that quantity of product. You can create a spreadsheet that will help you determine those amounts, plus any others. So don’t do math! Let Excel do it for you. Then you can focus more of your time on your business!

Jessica, Carolina Islands Soap Works
One essential item that I think people don’t think about bringing to markets is a floor mat. Customer service is extremely important when you are selling your products, which means you need to be standing and engaging with people who approach your booth. The problem with that is it can be tiring on your back. So a nice long floor mat where you walk frequently helps more than anything! Personally, we use a thick yoga mat. It’s long, cushioned and very portable!

Another thing I cannot do a market without is my credit card reader – 70% of sales come from credit cards. My biggest sales 90% of the time come from people asking if I take cards because they want to be able to spend a lot. A must-have!

Kathy, Milked Artisan SoapsBring a well thought out setup, including a gorgeous sign and a few props. If your setup is organized and has a cohesive theme, it is more likely to attract more buyers. Tip: do a mock setup before you attend the event and take a picture – this significantly reduces the set-up time.

An item you may not think to bring is a power bank! If you are attending a fair that is being held outdoors, or you happen to be assigned a space that is in the middle of a room without access to a power outlet, you can find yourself in a predicament where you aren’t able to use your devices to accept payments. I learned the hard way my first event, and now I have two fully-charged power banks with me at every event.

A tip for new sellers – it is imperative to do some research on the market(s) you are attending. I’ve been to only a few selective fairs, as I needed to make sure that my investment (the vendor fee) is something that I can recoup. And how did I do that? I read tons of reviews. You will be pleasantly surprised at the amount of information that is out there, especially if you are looking to attend an already established fair.

Liz and Ryan, Wandering Blooms Botanics
When we are preparing for markets we like to make sure we have a nice, clean, eye-catching setup with a nice variety of products. One thing that we like to make sure we always have plenty of is samples! Giving small samples of creams and soaps is always a big hit with customers! We like to label the samples with our name and product info to make it easy for customers to find us again. Most importantly, even if it rains, our tent blows over and we forgot our samples, we try to always have a great day and meet a lot of awesome people.

Anna-Kate, Ole Tradition Soap Co.
When packing for markets, I always make sure to bring plenty of business cards! Even if someone doesn’t buy something right away, they’ll take your business card and find your online store later. Just make sure you have plenty of information about where to find you! Your cards don’t have to be anything fancy – just your company’s name, logo, and where you can be found online. I print mine right at home to keep costs low.

Pay attention to the direction of the sun. If you have products that melt you want to make sure they aren’t in direct sunlight. Typically the set-up time at a farmers market is before the sun is fully up. Once the sun is up you are busy with customers. If you think about this early on then you won’t have to rearrange your booth mid show if you have products that are light and heat sensitive.

Make sure you get a tent that is easy to assemble. Don’t mess around with separate poles. You want a tent that can hold its own in the wind and not crumple under water weight. Speaking of weight – get some heavy weights so your tent doesn’t blow away. Yes, it will storm at a market – it happens to everyone. Get a can of water repellent spray and put a good couple of coats on the fabric. Make sure to put plenty along the seams and touch points where the canopy meets the frame.

For a sunny day it is nice to have walls up on your tent but it can get pretty hot in there without ventilation. You can pick up some pretty inexpensive sheer curtains from the home store that will provide some shade and still let the breeze through. You will want some side walls for those rainy markets though. You will want to get something easy to whip up if there is a sudden rain storm. I got some pretty economical side walls off of Amazon that had Velcro straps for easy and quick set up.

I recommend you get a hand cart and totes. The hand cart is a back saver and the totes will provide a sturdy, waterproof place to pack your product. You want bins that are the same size so stacking on the cart is easy. It is tempting to save some money and use cardboard boxes or canvas bags, but they can get wet and your product could get damaged and they aren’t as easy to transport on a cart. My top tip for using your cart is to make sure you strap your product down! I have experienced packing all of my totes on the cart and wheeling that cart down the sidewalk where I, inevitably, hit a crack in the sidewalk that I wasn’t prepared for and all my stuff flies off the cart! It didn’t just happen to me. I have seen this too many times to count. I went to the hardware store and got some cinch straps to tie down my totes and I haven’t spilled a cart of my product since!

Height is nice for your display. I use two-tiered fruit stands that I got from TJ Maxx for my bath bombs and a nice tiered shelf for my soaps and scrubs that we made from wood at home. Having product closer to eye level is a bonus for your customers. They will be able to see the product and read the labels without having to pick everything up.

Think about where you will be vending when planning your shoes for the day. One of my first markets was on grass and I didn’t think about how dewy the grass was going to be until I was traipsing around on it and felt how wet my socks were. Sandals are nice because your feet will dry out, but standing all day can be hard without support. I invested in some nice waterproof shoes that were made for hiking. They kept my feet dry and had a decent amount of cushion that was great for standing for hours.

Candice, Sunny Crab
I think one important thing to take to a show that you might not think about is a cell phone power bank. You might not have anywhere to plug in a regular charger, and all those credit card sales will drain your phone! I also recommend being prepared for wind if it’s an outdoor show. I learned this lesson the hard way when all of my signs started blowing away at one show I did. Don’t forget water! I always get so dehydrated at shows from talking so much, and not all shows have available water. My last tip is to enjoy! It really is fun to sell products that you made!

Ashlee, Affinity SoaperyI’ve found the following to be super important for me when preparing for a farmers market:

Count inventory that you’re bringing and create a spreadsheet with quantities of each item. When someone buys something, make a tally next to that item on your sheet. A clipboard and pencil hidden behind your table works great for this. This helps you to know in the moment what you’ve got left, and you can reconcile that at the end of the day to make sure nothing went missing.

Create a checklist for essential items and physically mark off the items as you load them into your car. You don’t want to drive halfway to the farmers market 30 miles away at 5 a.m. and realize you don’t have your Square reader. Ask me how I know!

Bring a helper; someone who can speak a bit about your product, if possible. If you need a potty break, you need the helper to watch your booth. Also, the helper can handle cash and give change while you talk up the customer, thank them for their purchase and package their items.

Bring water and snacks (and sunscreen). A lot of water! You’re going to be chatting all day long and your throat will get dry. If the people turn out, you won’t have time to walk away and grab lunch, so snacks are never a bad idea.

Put some effort into your setup. Get a sign made, or make one if you’re crafty. Practice your setup at home before the market. Also, make sure your items don’t look over-handled, dirty or otherwise dingy. This can be challenging if you load and unload a lot, so work that into your packaging if you’re planning on doing a lot of markets.

Donating just one bar of soap can make a huge difference in someone’s life. If you’re looking for ways to give back to your community, this post can help you get started.

Why it’s important
There are many advantages to giving back, most importantly that you’re helping someone in need. Kate with Soap With Hope said donating handmade soap is often unexpected but so appreciated.

“It makes their face feel good, it makes their hands smell good. It changes a person’s day,” she said. “I’ve been the recipient of that many times – those little tiny things really make a difference.”

Kate has been selling soap for about 5 years. After she was diagnosed with cancer and started a rigorous treatment program, an office job wasn’t a possibility for her. She wanted to be home with her family.

Soap With Hope donates 25 cents from the sale of every bar to cancer research. Kate also gives soap and other supplies to several charities. She started giving back because so many people helped her along the way and she wanted to pay it forward. It was also important to set an example for her children.

“I want my kids to grow up knowing that you can rely on your community. There are good people in this world,” Kate said. “It doesn’t matter what life throws at you, if you’re in a position to help others you need to do it. We need to support and lift each other up.”

Amanda with Lovin’ Soap Studio said giving back can also help strengthen your relationship with the community. Amanda and her husband founded a non-profit called the Lovin’ Soap Project. Members work to improve the lives of women and girls through health, education, artisan soapmaking, business planning, and economic development.

“I simply believe that it is our job to take care of one another,” Amanda said. “I personally focus my giving-back efforts locally and internationally on women and girls.”

Amanda said supporting a cause can connect you with other businesses and leaders in your community. If you have employees, it can boost their morale knowing they work for a company that lifts other people up. You may even inspire employees or others in the community to give back as well.

All of these factors can help create trust between you and your customers. Amanda said they want to know what businesses stand for, not just what products they sell. They’re more likely to buy from a company that supports a cause, especially if it’s one they know and support. Learn more in this article from Forbes.

How to get started
There are a lot of charities out there doing great work, so it can be hard to choose which one to support. It helps to consider what you and your customers feel strongly about. If they love animals, check out your local animal rescues. If they’re passionate about the environment, research nearby conservation groups.

There are also plenty of resources online. Amanda recommends Charity Navigator, which rates non-profits based on their financial documents and public support.

If you’re still not sure, ask your customers. Amanda said you can send out a survey or let them vote on a certain cause every quarter. Don’t be afraid to talk about your efforts and keep your customers updated.

“Shout your cause marketing efforts from the roof top!” Amanda said. “Set a good example for your customers, family, children, neighbors, etc. If you don’t talk about it, no one will be inspired by your giving.”

Friends are also a great resource – Kate said simply asking on Facebook will give you a lot to work with.

“Once you start, you’ll be amazed at how many people have charities to suggest,” she said.

What you can do
Once you have your causes selected, you can focus on what you’re able to give. One option is donating a portion of your sales. How much you decide to donate depends on your pricing structure – check out the How to Calculate the Price of Your Products post for more information. You can try a few different donation amounts to see what works.

If your business is small or if you’re just starting to sell your products, donating a portion of sales may not be an option for you. The good news is there are other ways to give back that may be more cost effective for you.

“You don’t have to start your own non-profit and I actually discourage that because of what it takes to run a non-profit,” Amanda said. “It can be a bit complex. So keep it simple!”

For instance, you can volunteer and highlight the organization on social media or your website. Amanda said another option is a cause product. It can be anything you like – a batch of soap, bath bombs, a gift set with lotion and lip balm. The proceeds of that product can go to your favorite charity. You can make a new batch every month, once a quarter, or once every 6 months. It’s important that you’re able to do it comfortably.

Another option is donating products to local shelters. Soapmakers often have scraps, end pieces, and test batches in their homes. Kate said even if it’s a batch you’re not proud of, it will mean a lot to someone in need. You don’t have to donate a lot either. Just do what you can.

“I promise you can make anyone feel better with a beautiful bar of soap,” Kate said.

Meagan of Avery Grey Soapery is known for both sophisticated and whimsical cold process designs. Her love of movies, books, and music often inspire her creations, leading to playful projects like Mad Hatter and Maleficent soaps. We love to see what she creates on her Instagram. Learn more about how Meagan got started making soap and what she learned along the way.

Meagan’s Siren soap. She was inspired by the original story of The Little Mermaid, written by Hans Christian Andersen.

How long have you been soaping and how did you get started?
I’ve been soaping for a little over 6 years now. I’ve had a love for handcrafted things ever since I can remember. I once made my grandparents sit and wait for me while I watched a man make moccasins completely by hand, start to finish, from leather that he tanned himself.

So, almost 10 years ago I found a tutorial on soap making in a book that my grandfather had. It was full of other hand crafting tutorials, but something about soap making interested me. I spent years researching because I was so intimidated at the thought of using lye! I wanted to have all the information I could possibly find before I made my first batch, and once I finally took the leap, I fell in love.

What advice would you give to those soapers just starting their businesses?I would say to not be afraid of starting small or starting slow. You don’t have to come out of the gate with huge product lines and numerous scents. Have a vision of what you want your business to be in five years, in ten years. Think about your full potential. Keep your vision in mind and work towards it. Start with one product, don’t overwhelm yourself immediately.

Do your research on your products, get opinions from friends and family, and test everything. And remember, it’s ok to take a break! It’s easy to get a little burned out, especially after the holidays, so don’t be afraid to take time off every now and then to rest and regroup. You’ll be better for it, and your business will too.

What is your favorite type of product to make?
Soap is absolutely my favorite product to make. I enjoy bath bombs, body scrubs, and other products, but soap is my love. Every batch turns out different, even when I try to make them as similar as I can, it’s always a mystery. I’m always so excited to cut into a new loaf. What will the inside look like? Will it turn out like I planned, or maybe be something even better? It’s a fun surprise each time.

What inspires you to create?
So many different things! Sometimes it comes from books or movies like my Mad Hatter and Maleficent soaps. I have a huge list of concepts waiting to be made that were inspired by some of my favorite book characters. I pull inspiration from photos, from sunsets, from music. I have so many photos saved because the colors in them make me want to recreate them in soap.

Music makes me want to make things. A friend and I were discussing our favorite music from high school, and it resulted in my 80’s Baby Soap! Sometimes I have no clear plan when I order a fragrance, but the first time I smell it I immediately know what I want to make and what it should look like. Recently I pulled from my heritage and let Mardi Gras inspire me, and Voodoo Woman and Mardi Gras soaps were created.

How did you come up with the name for your business?I wrestled with a name for the longest time! Nothing I came up with sounded right, and nothing my friends and family came up with sounded right either. So, I finally decided to name it after my children. My husband and I could only agree on a first name for our oldest, and we ended up letting my mother choose his middle name, so he’s Hayden Avery. When our daughter came along we found ourselves in the exact same position, agreeing on a first name but not being able to come to a compromise on a middle name. So again, we let my mother choose, and we have Adeline Grey.

Using their names was a way for me to bring three generations into one. My mother is a huge supporter, so it felt right to use the names she chose for my kids to name my business. I do this for me, but I also do this for my children. To set an example for them so that they know they can accomplish what they put their mind to. And naming something so important after the most important people in my life seemed a perfect start.

Maleficent soap. Scented with an absinthe fragrance and topped with Aurora’s crown and Maleficent’s staff.

What is your favorite Bramble Berry product and why?
I absolutely adore the Cactus Flower Fragrance Oil. It’s a little sweet and floral without being overpowering. It’s one of those fragrances that makes you stop and smell it every time you pass it on the curing rack. My husband and son asked to keep the whole batch I made with it! I’m normally not a big fan of floral fragrances, but this one won me over as soon as I twisted the lid open.

Tell us something unusual or unique about yourself!
I am an extremely forgetful person. I have reminders, calendars, sticky notes, and notebooks to remind myself of everything I need to do. And yet, I can remember every book I have ever read, and the words to any song I’ve heard more than 5 or 6 times. I have to wait years to re-read a book so that I forget enough of the details to find it interesting again. I also read extremely fast, and my average number of books I read a year is about 250. And when it comes to music, my sister and my son like to play a game where they play songs they know and see if I know the words. I always win!

What are some of your other hobbies and interests?Well, you know I love reading and music. I also like to quilt, knit and paint. I’m a bit of a craft-a-holic, I pick up hobbies left and right! History is another interest. I love to learn, especially about other cultures and ancient civilizations. I love to travel, and I’ve been to almost 40 states and 4 other countries. Montana is my favorite place (besides home), and I hope to one day travel to Greece where I can combine my love of history with my love of travel.

What is your number one soaping tip?
Have a backup plan! Sometimes things happen, our batter thickens up more than we’d like, a fragrance accelerates, or a color morphs. Have a back up plan just in case so you can move seamlessly (more or less) from one plan to another. And don’t be disappointed when you don’t get to execute your original design. Sometimes a soapy design fail can be one of the most beautiful soaps you’ve ever made!

Have you ever experienced a horrible soapy fail? How did you work through it, and what did you learn?
I definitely have had a few horrible fails. For one of them, I had grand plans for a sea fragrance that I was madly in love with. I was going to have some complicated swirls, a textured top, oh! It was going to be gorgeous. Ha! The reality was that as soon as I added that divine fragrance I ended up with soap on a stick. Or several sticks really, as I had already separated my batter into 4 different colors. In the end I smooshed all four colors together in the bowl and crammed it into the mold. I’m pretty sure I could have won an “Ugliest Soap” contest with that one. But, I learned to always, always pay attention to the fragrance description and reviews. If I had, I could have had a successful, albeit plainer, soap.

Another fail I had was because of a fragrance. I had a customer request a custom loaf in unicorn colors. I grabbed a fragrance that I felt went with a unicorn theme and went to work. Well. It really helps to check and make sure your fragrance doesn’t discolor when you make a soap with pastel colors. After a few days the bars looked like I had made them with a camouflage theme. Definitely not the delicate unicorn colors I started with, haha!

If you were to give one of your products to a stranger, what would you choose and why?
If I could give one of my products to a stranger, I would probably choose one of my latest. Right now, I’d pick Voodoo Woman. The fragrance is one of my current favorites, and the colors are beautiful. It’s Mardi Gras, but a little dark and mysterious. I always think the last soap I make is my favorite. Then I make another and I think to myself, oh, this is definitely my favorite. So far, Voodoo Woman is holding out as a top favorite!

What do you love most about creating bath and body products?I love making people feel good, about themselves and just in general. Especially moms. I hope that when someone uses my products it brings them joy. That it helps them find a little peace in a day that may not have had any, or has had very little. I also love the complexity of creating new products. I have a notebook that is absolutely filled with recipes, ideas and concepts for one product or another. Putting together a concept from beginning to end, from the recipe, to the fragrance, to the colors and design is so much fun. And seeing it come to life is amazing. When someone loves something that I created, it makes me so happy!

Keeping up with trends used to mean switching on your TV or picking up a magazine in the checkout line. Now the most popular colors and designs are right at your fingertips. All you have to do is scroll through Instagram or Pinterest. That makes it easy to try new things and keep your products fresh. Learn how to incorporate trends into your designs below.

Where to find inspiration
Inspiration is everywhere you look. Instagram is a great place to start. Fellow soapmakers can help you brainstorm – the #BrambleOn tag is full of amazing designs. Seeing all the photos in one place can help you identify what people are loving at the moment. You can also search tags like #soapshare and #soapmaking, then follow your favorite makers from there.

Pinterest works in a similar way because you can follow pages that share things you’re interested in. You can also search a subject and see every DIY project under the sun.

“I love Pinterest, that’s my favorite place to go,” said Yvonne with The Snoblove Bar. “Galaxy is a thing right now. So if you type in ‘galaxy,’ it will pull up everything from painting to lipstick, and you can see all the variations of the way people look at the theme.”

Don’t feel limited to just soap pages. Yvonne follows Pantone and interior design pages for ideas. She also loves seeing all the colors and textures in fashion shows.

Tania with Soapish follows people who make paper art, stationary, and pottery. She visits local stores and galleries to see their newest inventory. As a cake decorator, she also finds plenty of inspiration from baking techniques. For instance, you can create shapes for cookies and cakes using fondant. You can use a similar technique with soap dough.

Some of our favorite bakers include SweetAmbs, who creates intricate cookie designs using a variety of tools. Lottie & Belle creates over-the-top cakes with piping and embellishments.

How to incorporate trends in your designs
Once you find a trend that speaks to you, it’s time to work it into your project. Lisa with Small Batch Soaps takes a trend like unicorns and breaks it down into key elements. That includes a horn, ears, eyes, rainbows, and glitter. She identifies which of those she’s interested in and then draws her design out on paper.

If she hasn’t tried the technique before, she heads to YouTube or other blogs for advice on how to get started. Then, she makes a small batch to see how the idea translates to soap.

“There are endless ways to interpret a trend, and I think that’s why it’s possible for anyone to incorporate trends into their products, while still staying true to their brand,” Lisa said. “For example, if you don’t feel like putting a unicorn horn on your soap is on brand for you, maybe you could try a rainbow or pastel colour palette, adding some glitter, or stamping your soap. No one knows your aesthetic better than you, so if you design it, I think people will recognize it as yours.”

Yvonne with The Snoblove Bar likes to approach trends a few different ways. The first is a more literal interpretation. For instance, she noticed people are loving flamingos right now. Options for working with that trend include a flamingo embed in the middle or on top of your bars. You can also create bright pink bars and then cut out flamingo shapes using a cookie cutter or sharp knife.

Staying true to your brand
It can be tempting to incorporate every trend you love into your designs. However, it’s important to ensure they still look like your products. You want people to recognize your creations and come back for more.

Yvonne kept seeing soaps inspired by Minions. She thought the bars were adorable, but she couldn’t find a way to work the theme into her line. Her brand is feminine and light. She works with pastel colors, piped flowers, and elegant embeds.

“It wasn’t the trend that would work best for my business,” she said. “You gotta know what you are, what makes you you, what makes your brand your brand.”

Tania with Soapish agrees. Her creations contain a lot of shapes, angles, lines, and layers. If she can find a way to work with a trend using those design elements, she’ll give it a try. If not, she’ll try something else.

“Go with what you love,” Tania said. “I think that if you love something, if you find something that speaks to you, something that you just can’t stop thinking about – translate that into your art. That’s what keeps you consistent and keeps your products aesthetically pleasing. Stick with what you love and you can’t go wrong.”

In December, soapmakers and small business owners feel a noticeable shift. Orders start to decrease and the hustle and bustle from the holiday season tapers off. By January most makers are taking a well-deserved break. After they’ve had enough time to rest and appreciate all their hard work, it’s time to start thinking about the new year. Sales tend to decrease around this time, but there are a few tricks that can keep the momentum going.

Social media engagement
Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are an important tool for business owners because they allow you to connect with your customers. Learn how to take photos, edit them, use hashtags, and more in the Instagram Tips and Tricks post.

In January it’s especially important to post new content consistently. Crystal with Wonderlust Artisan Soaps uses social media to find out what products her customers are excited about.

“I’m asking them, ‘What do you want to see more of? Would you like to see this product again? What kind of designs do you love?'” she said. “I want them to talk with me.”

This strategy gets people to come back to her page and Crystal can also make products based on their suggestions.

Sorina with Owl Natural Soaps uses a similar technique. She posts photos of new products to see how people react. If they’re loving the new design, she will keep making it. If not, she can try new designs.

Social media can also be used to help customers. If they want to know more about you or your products, answer them with plenty of information and a positive tone. That can help retain customers for years to come.

“I try to offer really great customer service and reply right away to their questions,” Sorina said.

Sorina uses social media to help customers and to share designs like this Frosted Berry soap.

Promotions
Another marketing technique is holding contests and giveaways. When things start to slow down for Crystal around Dec. 20th, she’ll announce that she’s doing a giveaway in early January. She usually does a themed giveaway, like a gift set with pumpkin spice scrub, soap, and lip balm. To enter, people repost her photo on their Instagram or tag three friends in the comments. She also does small sales like a free gift with purchase or 10% discount.

Having people repost photos or tag their friends is a great way to get your products seen by a new audience. Whoever wins the giveaway will likely share on their social channels and they also get a chance to try the products. If they love them, they’ll come back and buy more. It’s a simple but effective technique.

You don’t have to do big giveaways to experience the benefits. Michelle with Maine Naturals posts a photo of a new design and asks for name suggestions. Whoever comes up with the best name wins a bar of the soap or a small gift certificate.

Michelle also suggests doing promotions based on holidays. It can be an obscure holiday or something that applies to your current product line.

“In March I did a Pi Day contest,” she said. “I said post the best pictures of your pies, and the person who posts the best picture will win a soap package.”

Specialty products
Now that bars made with holiday scents and colors are out the door, you can really get creative in the new year. Michelle made soap inspired by the snow in Maine for her Soap of the Month club. Every month she creates a design inspired by the season and promotes it heavily on social media.

Sorina has been inspired by fantasy themes like unicorns, mermaids, and fairies, so she’s planning more designs based around that. Crystal has been creating soaps with her namesake, often changing the colors or stones to keep the products fresh. She also saves her most popular bath bomb designs for January and only makes enough to last a few months. That entices people to get them while they can.

You can also tailor your products to your customers’ interests. A lot of Crystal’s followers are vegan, so she’s making a soap and donating some of the sales to a local rescue.

“It doesn’t have to be expensive and you can help a charity out in the process,” she said.

Ellie of by Ellie is known for her beautiful and sophisticated cold process soap. She lives in Portugal where she works as an illustrator, designer, and motionographer. Her keen eye for design is apparent in everything she creates from soap to sugar scrubs. Learn more about Ellie in the interview below.

How long have you been soaping for and how did you get started?I’ve been soaping for almost two years. It seems I started yesterday but at the same time, a countless amount of soaps ago. I have learned so much and am still learning.

I started to make soap actually because of my boyfriend. He has oily skin and was always bathing with a “sabão azul” (translated from Portuguese, it means “Blue Soap”). In Portugal, Blue Soap is a traditional soap mostly known for washing clothes by hand. My grandma and mother used to do it and are still doing it.

I didn’t understand anything about soaps at the time, however it seemed that Blue Soap was too harsh for the skin. A few weeks after, I discovered that the Blue Soap has a pH of 11! I was right. With that said, I wanted to buy a good soap for him and I started investigating online. After some days, instead of buying one, I made one myself because I came across Soap Queen’s blog! Since then, I have never stopped.

What advice would you give to those soapers just starting their businesses?To make a soap exactly the same as you want it to be is quite an achievement. It can be hard and frustrating at the beginning and you’ll make some or many mistakes. But keep trying, next time it will be better. Failures are never just failures, they are lessons too.

For those who are starting their business: always plan ahead. Before starting my business, my boyfriend helped me to make an Excel page where I could note quantities, prices of materials, amount of time to make each batch, packaging prices, etc., to check if the soap I’ll be making was worth the investment. Starting a business is an investment and you’ll need to spend money to make money. Spend it wisely.

What is your favorite type of product to make?The answer is easy: cold process soap! My favorites to make are for my family with 80% olive oil as we have very dry and sensitive skin. For my mother, I scent with cinnamon fragrance oil, for me I use lavender and bergamot essential oil, and for my sister lemon essential oil. 🙂

What inspires you to create?So many things…I don’t know where to start. It can be the texture of a tree, a combination of colors in a flower, a painting of Monet, fashion design…

My bestseller By the Sea was inspired by a cake. I have an another soap I called Grandma’s Lemon because of my grandma who always brings me fresh lemons from her fields on Sunday mornings. I love to put a little bit of a story in every soap I make!

How did you come up with the name for your business?That was the most tricky part for me and it took weeks to figure it out. I wanted the name for my business to reflect the care and love I put into my work. My name Aurelie is French and it has a difficult pronunciation for everybody except for the French. I thought about a nickname and I came up with Ellie. By Ellie. I wanted it to express the “handmade” part of the process, so the logo turned out to be my handwriting.

The photos of your products are gorgeous. What photography tips do you have for those wanting to improve their product photos?Thank you! Photography is so important nowadays, especially if you sell online. I am still trying to figure out which style/type of photography I want. 🙂
I would advise beginners to take a workshop to understand the basics like product compositions, styling, and what you can accomplish with a certain lens. I will not lie, a good camera is essential. Daylight is always welcome and keep it simple.

One essential rule I think is important: keep your soap clean. That’s why we need soap essentially, to keep us clean. In a photography, the soap should express that.

Ellie photographing several batches of her cold process soap.

What is your favorite Bramble Berry product and why?There are quiet a few, but there is one that stands out: I absolutely love your Black Tea Fragrance Oil. I love the smokiness of it. Oh goodness I love it so much!

Tell us something unusual or unique about yourself!I am a professional illustrator, designer and motionographer full time. I illustrate school books and authors books (most of it for children). I work on special effects and video mapping for big events such as concerts and conventions. I love to create images and movement. Like my mother always said, “I am a forever unsatisfied person, I need to create always something new.”

Soapmaking is at this moment my favorite hobby and business at the same time. My boyfriend is now living in Cape Town, South Africa. When I’m there with him (when I’m not in Portugal lol) I hike those beautiful mountains and do some climbing. I love to read and to play on my PlayStation. During Summer when I’m in Portugal I go diving. During the winter I go snowboarding. What can I say…I love to have fun!

What is your number one soaping tip? Avoid wastes: when you have leftover batter, put it into little molds. It can be for your personal use. You can give them to your friends and family – it will bring happiness! It’s always worth it. 🙂 You can put them together in a little bag and sell them at markets and fairs, or give them as samples!

Have you ever experienced a horrible soapy fail? How did you work through it, and what did you learn?Yes of course, countless of them! My biggest failure was making this batch of 4Kg (about 8 pounds) of soap with expensive essential oil and I forgot to measure and add one oil to my formula. I realized it when my mold wasn’t filled up. I gave it to my mom for her to wash clothes. I remember I was so frustrated and upset. What did I learn? Never make soap when you are tired.

What do you love most about creating bath and body products?Cold process soap gives me the opportunity to create a skin-loving natural bar with luxurious and skin-loving ingredients, but I can also turn it into something beautiful. The colors, the shape, the texture, the ingredients are carefully chosen thinking on the relationship between design & function. That’s the beauty of it!

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